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92 Osoyoos Larose 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada BC $40.00 private wine shops, AB $40.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $40.00 consignment - Vincor International, QC $40.00 It's all about minor tweaks at this point for Osoyoos Larose and almost all of that is about tannin and fruit balance.
92 Osoyoos Larose 2007 Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Cab Franc - Petit Verdot
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $40.00 private wine shops, AB $40.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $40.00 consignment - Vincor International, QC $40.00
It's all about minor tweaks at this point for Osoyoos Larose and almost all of that is about tannin and fruit balance. This is the best OL by any measure led by the softest, yet substantial amount, of tannins now bordering on elegant. Typically the nose is a mix of smoky coffee, black cherry and olive aromas and the '07 is no different. The entry is dry, but with density and richness that will need five years to fully developed. The finish is long with bits of dark chocolate and that south Okanagan savoury thread. Real finesse here that sets a new level on the bar for all the wannabe icons. Best of all price and quality are in equilibrium. (AG-ST)
91 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling Classic 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Made from 20-plus year old vines, this classic style riesling has 9 per cent residual sugar but you barley detect it with the acidity so bright and fresh. Crisp crunchy citrus fruit with a dash of red apples this is a wine with endless food possibilities. A B.C. riesling for grownups. Well done. (AG-ST)
91 Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $33.00 winery direct, AB $35.00 fine wine shops
This wine was a knockout at the Canadian Wine Awards and that is always saying something given the numerous quality cab francs entered from Ontario. The BOV franc has a bit of that Cheval Blanc mineral thing under its ripe, rich, spicy, earthy, black fruit. Just a whiff of local sage pulls the entire wine together. It will keep a decade handily. In fact, in 2017 you might want to serve it with Cheval to see how they both hold up. Impressive as always. (AG-ST)
90 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling 2008
Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $20.00 winery direct
Lovely zesty white fruit aromas with mineral, peach and apricot notes. The palate is lively and elegant and still quite youthful with red apple, lime, mineral, nectarine flavours that finish long. Amazing wines that speak to the 8 generations of knowledge gathered by this family. (AG-ST)
90 Blue Mountain Chardonnay Reserve (Stripe Label) 2007
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $26.00 special order - Keystone Fine Wines
Lemon, marzipan, spicy lees, pear, light melon, green apple skin, garlic, vanilla aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Earthy, slate, baked apple skin, garlic, nutty lees, spicy, citrus, nectarine skin flavours. Much in the style of a premier cru Chablis with a bit more oak. Attractive style for food but can age further. Solid value here. (AG)
90 CedarCreek Platinum Malbec 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $55.00 winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
Very spicy, peppery, savoury, dried herb, iodine, medicinal, resin, black cherry, vanilla, tobacco and coffee aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple, grainy palate and juicy. Plum, cherry, chocolate, tobacco, peppery, sage, liquorice, dried herb, smoky mushroom flavours. A bit warm but good texture and fruit. A bit stemmy at this point it should improve in bottle. We expect the vines will do likewise, given how young they are. Only 84 cases made. (AG-ST)
90 Mission Hill S.L.C. Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $37.00 winery direct, Mark Anthony stores, AB $35.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $40.00, ON $37.00 consignment - Mark Anthony Brands
Open intense spicy, vanilla, meaty sausage, floral nose streaked with black berry, boysenberry and smoky, liquorice nose. The entry is supple, the palate full with light, ripe tannins. More smoky, leather, vanilla, coffee, boysenberry, savoury, garrigue flavours with a touch of barnyard and sage. Good finesse and styling for near term drinking and certainly the best yet form MH. (AG-ST)
90 Poplar Grove Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, private wine shops
Improving each year the latest Poplar Grove syrah has really up its quality quotient. The nose is surprisingly wild or feral with plenty of rich floral, black fruit and minerality. Underneath the wine remains fresh with fine acidity and more blueberry, spicy leather barnyard notes. The textures are smooth and glossy but not overbearing. Try this with your favourite lamb dish. (AG-ST)
90 Quails' Gate Chardonnay Family Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $30.00 winery direct, vqa wine stores
Smoky, nutty, spicy, garlic, vanilla cream, baked apple, grapefruit, dried herb aromas. Round, delicate, soft palate with a touch of sweetness. Vanilla, grassy, creamy, nutty lees, garlic, grapefruit, passion fruit, mineral, waxy, melon flavours. Good complexity and texture but a bit flat on the finish. Attractive style for current consumption. (AG-ST)
90 See Ya Later Ranch SYL Brut N/V
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $19.99 winery direct and private wine shops
Look for a bright, floral, complex brioche nose with bits of fruit and nutty lees. The entry is clean a crisp with more baked pea and yeasty notes over a dried peach and pear finish. This bubble has jumped another notch up the sparkling scale. Very fine quality. Bravo BC. (AG-ST)
90 Twisted Tree Marsanne Roussanne 2009 Marsanne - Roussanne
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $22.00 winery direct
Honey, ginger, nutty, anise, butter, lemon, baked peach aromas. Round, rich, elegant, fresh palate with a touch of oiliness. Mineral, ginger, lemon, honey, nutty, nectarine, apricot flavours. Juicy, round finish with good finesse and length. Impressive style well -executed, take that Rhone Valley. (AG-ST)
